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Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Girl Scouts Troop 710 of Liberty Park Middle School received the Silver Award for their assistance to the Glenwood Autism and Behavioral Center. The girls wanted to give something creative to the kids attending the center. Over the course of several months, six Girl Scouts created and distributed French Memory Boards and held a game drive. For the final phase of their project the Girl Scouts created a mural. Troop 710’s goal was to contribute to the improvement of living area at Glenwood. Members of this troop include Isabella, Paris, Emory Anne, Daria, Maggie and Katie.

The Girl Scout Silver Award
is the highest award a Girl Scout Cadette can earn. This award
symbolizes a Girl Scout Cadette’s accomplishments in Girl Scouting and
community activities as she matures and works to better her life and the
lives of others.

Daisy Girl Scout Troop 10088 in Decatur attended the Fancy Nancy program in Huntsville on Saturday, August 27. Daisy and Brownie troops spent two hours learning about different artists and making wearable art!

Thursday, August 25, 2011

The Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama (GSNCA) and Lt. Colonel Don Groom will host the sixth annual Girlapalooza: Girl Scouting, It’s a Community Thing on Saturday, September 10 from 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. at the McFarland Mall in the old Sticks ‘N Stuff location.

This FREE family event will include live entertainment by the Alabama Blues Project Band, Carroline Shines and Urban Theater League. Kip Tyner, TV personality and Tuscaloosa Councilman, will be the guest speaker. Other activities include moonwalks, face painting, train rides and Games 2 U mobile unit. Concessions are available for purchase from the BBQ Man and Kona Ice.

During this event GSNCA will collect new or gently used coats for its “Coat with Love” drive. All donations will be given to Temporary Emergency Services to disperse to the West Alabama tornado survivors. Georgia Troop 1616 will join GSNCA for Girlapalooza and will bring with them school supplies to share with schools affected by the April tornadoes.

Special thanks to Stan Pate of Pate Holdings for his generous donation of McFarland Mall for our venue. Other participating organizations include: Child Abuse Prevention Service, Barnes YMCA, Bama Extreme Cheer, Turning Point, Kid One Transport, Tuscaloosa Police Department, Big Brothers Big Sisters, “Sparky” the Fire Dog, Arts ‘n Autism, Parenting Assistance Line and Whatley Health Services Mobile Unit. Businesses or organizations can register to set up a FREE booth during the event to provide information about their group and give out promotional items.

For more information about Girlapalooza and becoming a sponsor contact Rosa Johnson at (800) 734-4541 ext. 1423 or email rjohnson@girlscoutsnca.org.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

New York, N.Y.—Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) announced today that Anna Maria Chávez, who grew up in a small town in southern Arizona and rose to become deputy chief of staff to that state’s then-Gov. Janet Napolitano, has been appointed to the top post at the iconic organization. Chávez is set to officially assume her new role at the Girl Scouts National Council Session/52nd Convention in November.

Chávez’s appointment as the 19th chief executive of Girl Scouts, among the largest and most widely recognized nonprofits in the country, comes as the organization readies to launch a national celebration as part of its 100th anniversary designed to honor its legacy and create urgency around girls’ issues. She will replace Kathy Cloninger, who is retiring after leading the organization for eight years.

“Girl Scouts is the premier leadership organization for girls with a trailblazing legacy that stretches nearly 100 years,” said Chávez, who currently serves as chief executive officer of Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas. “The country has never needed Girl Scouts more than it does today. What girls accomplish in Girl Scouting is inspiring. I have seen it firsthand in Texas, and I intend to tell that story far and wide. I’m eager to work with our partners across the country as the organization embarks on a new century of empowering girls to take the lead in their own lives and make a difference in their communities and across the world.”

Connie Lindsey, National President of Girl Scouts of the USA, said: “Anna Maria is the right person at the right time for our organization. She has a tremendous track record, and her visionary leadership is going to be invaluable as we work to fulfill our mission to be the premier leadership experience for girls in ways that are relevant, engaging and meaningful.”

Chávez was appointed chief executive of the Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas in 2009 after serving as deputy chief of staff for urban relations and community development for former Arizona governor and current U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano. As deputy chief of staff, she promoted the governor’s policies, programs and initiatives through coordination and partnership with city, county, and tribal governments, federal agencies and community organizations. In addition, she served as the governor’s policy advisor to the Arizona Department of Housing and advised Napolitano on strategies for coordinating housing and economic development.

Prior to being appointed as deputy chief of staff, Chávez served as Napolitano’s director of intergovernmental affairs from 2003 to 2007. She also served as in-house counsel and assistant director for the Division of Aging & Community Services (DACS) at the Arizona Department of Economic Security. Chávez entered state government after serving as senior policy advisor to U.S. Secretary of Transportation Rodney E. Slater. Previously, she had been chief of staff to the deputy administrator at the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) in Washington, D.C. Chávez also served as chief of staff for SBA’s Office of Government Contracting and Minority Enterprise Development.

Chávez will take over as chief executive after a dramatic period of change for the organization. Cloninger has led Girl Scouts through a historic transformation designed to ensure that the organization delivers the best leadership experience for a new generation of girls whose lives—and the opportunities they face—are ever changing. The wide-ranging effort has included consolidating councils from 312 to 112, as well as developing a nationally consistent program portfolio for girls that includes a series of leadership journeys, or coordinated series of activities grouped around a theme, and a revamped system of badges and awards that align with the leadership program.

Friday, August 19, 2011

Troop 979 members Catherine, Jane, Caroline, Amelia, Jocelyn, Gabby, Kayleen and Alexis of Oak Mountain Middle School earned their Bronze Award for volunteering at Special Kids night at Oak Mountain Presbyterian Church. This is an evening where parents of special needs children can spend the evening alone doing something for themselves while volunteers look after the kids. The girls were told what to expect and discussed ways to help out. The girls coordinated fun activities and games, and performed a puppet show for the kids.

The Girl Scout Bronze Award is the highest award a Girl Scout Junior can earn. This award recognizes that a Girl Scout Junior
has gained the leadership and planning skills required to follow
through with a project that makes a positive difference in her
community.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Courtlyn earned her Gold Award by organizing the Girls Minority Achievement Council (GMAC) at Vestavia Hills High School. Courtlyn wanted to empower young black females to be leaders in the school and to serve as mentors to girls at Vestavia Hills Elementary Central. School counselors identified which girls would benefit the most from a mentor and were paired with a GMAC member. One morning each month, the GMAC girls would travel to the elementary school to visit with the younger girls and to participate in a group discussion on a particular topic. “I learned that even the simplest plans take a lot of time and preparation if you want it to turn out well,” she revealed.

Courtlyn is the daughter of Michal and is a freshman Berea College in Berea, Kentucky.

The Girl Scout Gold Award is highest level of Girl Scout achievement. This award recognizes the Senior & Ambassador Girl Scout’s commitment to herself, her community, and her future. The girl who goes for the Gold embraces challenges, achieves excellence, and works diligently to make the world a better place, in her own unique way. Her leadership, vision, and boundless energy is an inspiration to all Girl Scouts. Each girl earning her Gold Award demonstrates excellence through a leadership project totaling more than 65 hours. Girls who earn their Gold Award are also recognized by the President of the United States, the U.S. Congress, the U.S. Armed Services, state legislatures, colleges and universities for admission and scholarship opportunities, and the American Legion.

On Monday, June 27 Girl Scout members of the Cullman Service Unit gathered for an Ice Cream Sundae and Pool Party at Nesmith Park in Cullman. Over 60 girls participated in the event and donated school supplies for tornado victims in the area.

Wren of Troop 1150, and an 8th grader at St. Bernard Preparatory School, collected shoes for several years to help foster children in Cullman. She planned to collect shoes for another year, but in light of the recent tornadoes, and the fact that she had already collected over 400 shoes, she decided to distribute the shoes this year just in time for school. Working with the Cullman Department of Human Resources (DHR), she set up a day for foster parents and DHR workers to come and “shop for shoes” for their children.

Wren’s idea for the project stemmed from her family’s own involvement as foster parents, when children often arrived without the basic necessities. The family started keeping extra shoes for the foster children that would stay with them, even if the stay was brief. Wren has been a Girl Scout for eight years.

Monday, August 15, 2011

Troop 532 members Avery, Brayden, Mackenzie, Taylor, Kaitlyn, Madison, Kristen, Ellie, Grace, Hanna and Emily of Trace Crossings Elementary recently received their Girl Scout Bronze Award for making a difference at the Hispanic Outreach Center run by the Catholic Diocese. The Diocese needed volunteers to help collect donated food to disperse to Hispanics that come to the Outreach Center for help. The girls created flyers and distributed them door to door. They collected food donations, assembled the bags, and helped give out the bags.

The Girl Scout Bronze Award is the highest award a Girl Scout Junior can earn. This award recognizes that a Girl Scout Junior
has gained the leadership and planning skills required to follow
through with a project that makes a positive difference in her
community..

Troop 447 members Sarah of Rocky Ridge Elementary and Lupita, Anna, Clara, Grace, Jane Linley, Katy Smith, Kyra and Shion of Greystone Elementary planned an afternoon of crafts and activities for Jessie’s Place. The girls decorated flower pots for the children to give to their mother’s for Mother’s Day. They also donated boxes of Girl Scout cookies, paper goods and craft supplies. The girls learned they enjoyed helping others and that it feels good to help those in need.

The Girl Scout Bronze Award is the highest award a Girl Scout Junior can earn. This award recognizes that a Girl Scout Junior
has gained the leadership and planning skills required to follow
through with a project that makes a positive difference in her
community.

Friday, August 12, 2011

Troop 455 members Kate, Claire, Eva, Zoe, Mackenzie , LeeAllyn, Reagan, Ellen, Victoria, Anne, Christina, Adison and Kayla of Our Lady of the Valley (OLV) Catholic Schooland Kelsey of Oak Mountain Intermediate School created a food pantry for OLV Catholic Church. Members of the church purchased the cabinets to store the food, and other OLV troops helped stock the pantry. Each troop is responsible for maintaining the donated items. When the pantry runs low on supplies, Troop 455 lets the other troops know what items need replacing. The girls learned many valuable lessons including how circumstances can instantly place a strain on a family’s financial situation.
The Girl Scout Bronze Award is the highest award a Girl Scout Junior can earn. This award recognizes that a Girl Scout Junior
has gained the leadership and planning skills required to follow
through with a project that makes a positive difference in her
community.

Troop 199 members Dylan, Grayson, Gabrielle, Katharine, Neha, Claire and Carlie of Riverchase Elementary School and Jackieof Evangel Classical School recently received their Girl Scout Bronze Award for creating a Reading Corner for Jessie’s Place in downtown Birmingham. The girls collected over 500 gently used books from students at Riverchase Elementary School and purchased a rug and some bean bag chairs to brighten up the space. The girls also participated in a babysitting/CPR class at the Red Cross. The girls learned how to perform CPR on infants, children and adults. They also learned how to care for smaller children. Each girl received a CD with information about how to create a business flyer and how to budget monies earned from babysitting.
The Girl Scout Bronze Award is the highest award a Girl Scout Junior can earn. This award recognizes that a Girl Scout Junior
has gained the leadership and planning skills required to follow
through with a project that makes a positive difference in her
community.

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

August 10 is National S’mores Day. A day entirely devoted to everyone’s favorite fireside treat. Although its origin is unknown, the first recipe for “Some Mores” appeared in the 1927 Girl Scout Handbook, “Tramping and Trailing with the Girl Scouts,” and somewhere along the way the name was shortened to s’mores.

So celebrate this occasion by gathering your best girl friends and creating your own version of this fun and tasty summertime dessert.

What you’ll need:A campfire or fireplaceA long stick for roasting the marshmallows

Friday, August 5, 2011

Volunteers Also Needed for 2011-2012For 100 years, Girl Scouts have been having fun while learning. Through the Girl Scout Leadership Experience, girls have opportunities to travel all over the country and internationally, explore science and technology, learn about finances and a healthy lifestyle, and build valuable leadership skills. The Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama (GSNCA) offers age-appropriate programs with real experiences that prepare Girl Scouts for all aspects of life. Girl Scout experiences are also, as much as possible, girl-led and encourage learning by doing.

Any girl age 5-17 can have opportunities like these by registering to be a Girl Scout! Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama invites girls of all ages to join. Girl Scouting is one of the most affordable extracurricular activities for girls, at only $12 a year for membership. Scholarships are available for uniforms, programs and materials. Individual troop dues are determined by the troop leaders and parents. Now is a great time to join Girl Scouts! In honor of our 100th anniversary, GSNCA has created some new activities for girls, including the ability to earn a 100-year patch for participating in specific centennial programs, and new travel opportunities including trips to southern California, Pennsylvania and even a cruise! Also, GSNCA is in need of troop leaders and other volunteers. Adults over 19, both male and female, can help with programs, lead troops, volunteer with events, serve on committees, help at camps or work with girls virtually. Visit www.girlscoutsnca.org/girlscoutsrock for more information and to contact your local staff member at 800-734-4541.

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

We are beginning to plan our GSNCA destinations trips listed in the 2011-2012 Program Planner and we would like girls' input.If you are interested in going on the trip to Hershey PA, Washington DC (Rock the Mall), or to Southern CA, please click on one of the links below and let your voice be heard.This survey opportunity is for girls only.Remember, the price for the trip will be determined based on the activities chosen. Deadline for filling out surveys is September 1, 2011.